Support Assistant

Information

Early Shift starts at 7.00am and Late Shift starts either at 3 pm or 4 pm (variable hours throughout week), every third weekend off.

Possibility of overtime hours to cover other support hours as required.

Salary is pro rata of 38.5 hours per week.

Main Function

The Support Assistant will work alongside the Care Staff in providing support to the individual Service Users, helping them to gain greater independence and self-reliance. He/she should be a good team worker with highly developed communication skills, the ability to motivate people and a readiness to be flexible and adaptable in his/her approach.

• The Support Assistant’s role is to work alongside the staff team to support the Service Users to gain greater independence in life skills while respecting their individuality and promoting their right to make their own choices.
• The Support Assistant will be expected to participate in staff meetings and to take part in training activities as required.

 

The Support Assistant will be line managed by the Team Leader.

Main Duties

The Support Assistant will liaise with staff to support the individual Service Users in learning to develop their skills in self-presentation. Working in tandem with care staff, the Support Assistant will assist the Service Users in learning to attend to their laundry (including bed linen), ironing and care of their clothing.

The Support Assistant will have responsibilities to promote a greater understanding among the Service Users’ group about maintaining a safe environment. Work in this area will encompass a wide range of skills and activities, from the safe handling and storage of foodstuffs to the proper use of domestic electrical equipment.

Working alongside care staff, the Support Assistant will assist the Service Users to improve their skills in menu planning, budgeting and shopping. The Support Assistant will be required to assist the Service Users to select a balanced and nutritious diet whilst respecting their individual preferences and dietary requirements. A degree of training in basic food hygiene and cooking skills will be required by some of the Service Users.

The Support Assistant will be required to assist the Service Users to develop domestic skills and to promote training and supervision with light domestic chores.

Support Assistants will be expected to be aware of the resident’s goals and risks outlined in all residents care packages. This information should then be used to help support the individual recovery care plan by recording outcome measured progress and provide feedback to the staff team as appropriate

The Support Assistant will be required:

• To participate in regular staff meetings
• To liaise with key workers regarding the Service User’s individual needs/care plans
• To assist and involve the Service Users in achieving set goals and managing recognised risks
• To work a rota pattern involving shift working, weekends and sleepovers as required
• To assist with the administration of medication, as per CrossReach policy
• To assist budgeting and money management as per CrossReach policy
• To assist with the maintenance of accurate record keeping
• To respect the confidentiality of individual Service Users at all times
• To undertake any other duties as may reasonably fall within the parameters of this post as directed by the Team Leader/Service Manager

 

General

• Have respect for all aspects of Christian worship.
• Facilitate service users to attend Christian worship (or worship of choice).

Qualifications

If not already qualified, it is expected that the successful candidate will undertake a commitment to complete SVQ Level 2 in Social Care in line with SSSC registration requirements.

Personal

As we do our work in Christ’s name you must be respectful of our Christian Ethos and be able to work within it.

This post requires you to be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme and undertake the necessary vetting checks.

This post requires you to be registered with SSSC and it is your professional responsibility to ensure that you meet the standards and criteria for registration.

Skills and Abilities

No qualifications or direct experience are necessary, although experience of working with people with mental health issues is preferred.

The postholder must possess basic computer literacy skills including use of Microsoft Office and the internet for completing mandatory e-learning courses.